Chapter 92

“So you didn’t even think about what to make me do before borrowing me with a note? Got a bit shocked by Leon’s flashy moves, but realizing this is probably the last chance to investigate the past incident, the female police officer gripped her fists a few times with force and ultimately accepted cooperation with the ‘jerk rebel’, answering with a strained expression:

“You just fill in ‘assistance in investigation’… Say, are you really going out on field duty? And you’re heading to the Lane Family too? What exactly are you going to do at the Lane Family?”

“Damn, why so many questions? These are confidential matters; don’t ask what you shouldn’t!”

After snapping back at the female police officer, Leon felt much more relaxed as he swiftly filled out the approval form and shoved it directly into her pocket. He then pointed at the female prisoner pinned against the wall and made his first request.

“Loosen your grip a little, let me check the bandage on her wrist!”

“Huh???”

Although somewhat confused about what Leon was up to, seeing that he only extended one finger, seemingly just wanting to touch the bandage, the female police officer didn’t stop him but slightly loosened her hold on the female prisoner’s arm.

“Zzz…”

[Name: Infected Blood Band (Corruption, Healing)]

[Appearance: An old bandage stained with copious amounts of blood, the central gauze used to tie off the bleeding point still bearing numerous dark brown old blood stains. A faint salty smell can be detected if sniffed closely.]

[Ability: Actively wraps around any living target, stealing its health and causing rapid decay and death. However, when correctly used, it can quickly heal all external injuries below the level of limb severance.]

[Cost: Unbearable pain in the right leg during use, making walking almost impossible.]

[File: A bandage taken from the corpse of a soldier who died from wounds. Each thread of cotton in this bandage is soaked with the painful tears of the soldier’s wife.]

[Assessment: The bloodstains born from protection have yet to fully convey the deceased’s wishes, but the overflowing tears of hatred continue to torment the soul of the living.]

[Taint Value: 1.1]

“…”

Another anomalous item with “dual characteristics”? After reading through the ability description of the bandage, Leon couldn’t help but frown slightly, feeling something odd. Similar to [Parasitic Shelter], the two abilities of this bandage were unrelated, even completely opposite.

Moreover, judging from the file and evaluation, the “creator” of this anomalous item was likely not just the deceased investigator but probably also included the restrained female prisoner.

If his guess was correct, her husband’s will to survive and concern for his family should have given birth to the healing ability of the bandage.

As for the source of the other half, the corruption ability, it was most likely due to the woman’s deep-seated hatred and her desire for her enemy to experience the same suffering her husband endured before his death.

Though this formation process seemed “reasonable,” most anomalous items were born from pure and extreme emotions.

And purity meant difficulty in complexity; it was rare for an item to carry both “love” and “hate” simultaneously, requiring both emotions to be intense and roughly equal in degree. This should have been extremely uncommon, yet this was already the second such case he’d encountered.

So… Could this also have something to do with that Aquarius Director? Following this vague sense of familiarity, Leon frowned deeply and leaned closer, lowering his voice as he asked, “Let me ask you, have you seen someone with narrow eyes, eyebrows and corners of the mouth slanting downwards, naturally looking like they’re crying?”

“Huh!!! So they’ve found out!” Upon hearing Leon’s question, the female prisoner couldn’t help but stiffen her expression. Recalling the sudden ineffectiveness of the bandage, she finally confirmed her previous judgment.

There’s a traitor within the organization! And it’s likely not just any traitor; their position might even be higher than hers! It could possibly be one of those core members who also obtained power!

Damn it! Who is the traitor?

…

Even though the female prisoner clenched her teeth and remained silent without giving any response, her perceived stubborn resistance held no meaning before Leon, who possessed a vision of souls.

Well, seems like you’ve actually had contact? So that Aquarius Director is still creating anomalies? Watching the instantly panicked soul of the female prisoner upon hearing his question, Leon couldn’t help but take a deep breath, subconsciously tightening his fist as he immediately continued to press further:

“How did you meet him? Did he approach you first?”

“It’s definitely him who approached you!”

Through the reaction of her soul, Leon’s brow furrowed again as he continued to interrogate loudly amidst the female prisoner’s panic-stricken expression: “Tell me! Is it just you who has a connection to him, or is it the entire group of rebels?”

“I said I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“…”

Not… Why are you interrogating her? Isn’t this my job? Then what am I here for?

While Leon and the female prisoner were exchanging questions rapidly, the nearby female police officer was thoroughly confused and couldn’t help but quietly inquire:

“Leon… what exactly…”

“You stop interfering and hold her down!”

Angrily glaring at the tool person and signaling her not to interrupt, Leon looked at the unchanging soul of the female prisoner and thought for a moment before rephrasing his question:

“If neither of these answers is correct… then there aren’t many people who know about or have seen that person, but indeed, there is a group within your rebellion that has obtained power from him?”

“One by one, none missed!”

“…”

Still unable to understand how she exposed herself with the first two questions, the female prisoner decided to remain silent and endure, lest her tone and demeanor give away the answer.

However, despite her silence, her once-again turbulent soul directly revealed the correct answer to Leon.

“Looks like a group has indeed come into contact with him… Are there many? Very few? Not too many?”

“…”

“Seems not too many… Tell me, does the total number of people like you reach fifty? Thirty? Twenty? Ten? More than ten, huh?”

“Huh?”

“Does it reach fifteen? Twelve? Thirteen? Oh, it’s twelve!”

“Huh??”

There are actually twelve people? Quickly deducing the number of those who gained abnormalities based on the changes in the female prisoner’s soul, Leon anxiously continued questioning: “What level are these people? Aren’t most of them stronger than you?”

“Huh???”

“Seems they’re all stronger than you… How many are stronger than you? Three? Five? Seven?”

“!!”

He is! He is one of those people!

Even while stubbornly holding her ground and saying nothing throughout, after revealing all the intelligence almost to the point of breaking down, the female prisoner finally understood what she was up against.

Though she doesn’t know exactly how he did it, as long as she remains alive, she cannot keep any secrets from him!

“You go die!!”

In a fit of hysteria, she screamed and, risking dislocating her arm, violently leaned backward, smashing the back of her head against the female police officer’s chest. Then, arching her body backwards, she forcefully slammed her body against the hard iron wall with a loud “Bang!”

(End of Chapter)